Who Do You Think You Are? Live

The world’s largest family history show

THE NEC BIRMINGHAM | 6 - 8 APRIL 2017

DNA, emigration and shipping

14:15 - 15:10

The study of emigrants from Britain can help both the emigrant’s descendants and the British left behind in tracing their own family lines back by triangulation, especially before 1800. As most DNA surname projects will contain a predominance of American members, it can help having a knowledge of the basics of American family history. The British can be in a strong position to help in research efforts to mutual benefit. The presentation will concentrate on emigration from England to America, 1606/7 to 1800, where survival of shipping lists can be rare. This will be illustrated by 4-5 separate practical examples encountered, including convict transportation, in which combined Y-DNA and documentary research have either proved successful or are still awaiting Y-DNA matches to confirm. Changes to ports, shipping and the Royal Navy between these dates can help understanding considerably.

Brian Swann has been involved with family history since 1967 and is a founder member of the Norfolk, West Surrey and Dyfed FHS, as well as a member of the Society of Genealogists (1972) and the Guild of One-Name Studies (2009). He began involvement with DNA testing for family history purposes in 2000, and more seriously from early 2006. He also worked in and around the pharmaceutical industry in his day job in various roles for 40 years until retirement in 2011. He has been a member of ISOGG since late 2006, and helped get the enlarged DNA Area into WDYTYA in 2009.

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